Foothillers score 31 in less than 6 minutes

LA MESA – Despite a 1-4 record in non-league ballgames, the Grossmont Foothillers have played arguably one of the toughest schedules (along with Helix) among all East County schools.

Following Friday’s (Sept. 28) Grossmont Hills League opener, the nightmare slate obviously prepared the ballclub in a positive manner.

In the second-most, one-sided ballgame in series history, the host Hillers captured their league opener by racing to a dominant 45-0 halftime lead to upend the Norsemen at Ltd. Thomas M. Adams Memorial Field at Jack Mashin Stadium.

The quick strike Hillers offense garnered 31 points in an incredible span of just 6:45 of the first quarter to cement the triumph before most of the fans could get settled into their seats.

The frantic scoring streak saw Grossmont quarterback Jaime Odom connect with Brody Schicker for 49 yards with 2:55 into the ballgame. The Hillers defense then took over, getting the ball back in short fashion.

Odom then found Demari Crawford on a 5-yard TD toss, then found  Desmond Carter on an 8-yarder for his third TD pass in a span of 3:18.

Alex Gonzalez booted a 25-yard field goal with 3:20 remaining for a 24-0 lead, followed by a Thomas Mangum rushing burst for 35 yards exactly 70 seconds later.  Ballgame.

Odom posted his fourth TD pass on a 9-yard pass to Shawn Williams midway through the second. Schicker then grabbed his second TD reception, this time from reserve QB Dominic Espino, on an 18-yarder to cap the half.

Valhalla avoided the shutout on a 42-yard TD romp late in the third period – the lone score in the stanza.

In the final period, Mangum went coast-to-coast on a punt runback.

Grossmont moved to 2-4 overall in snapping a 4-game losing streak. Valhalla remains winless in six starts.

The biggest victory occurred in 2013 when the Hillers secured a 55-point decision, 69-14, in Rancho San Diego. Conversely, Valhalla owns a pair of 34-0 triumphs over Grossmont (1995, 2008).